Traction-engine



B. HUBER.

TRACTION ENGINE.

Patented June 30, 1896.

jey/

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDIVARD HUBER, OF MARION, OHIO.

TRACTION-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 563,177, dated June 30, 1896.

Application filed April 11,1896. Serial No. 587,104. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD HUBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marion, in the county of Marion and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvem ents in Traction-Engines, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention has reference to the steeringgear for traction-engines; and it consists, briefly, in combining with the steering apparatus, comprising the rods, chains, and usual gear-wheels, yielding devices adapted to alleviate the strain on the gear and steeringchains resulting from the jerking that the front axle receives in passing over rough or uneven roads.

The invention further consists in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of a tractionengine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detached view of the steering mechanism, illustrating my improvement as in use; and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 00 at, Fig. 1.

Arepresents a traction-engine boiler of any approved type supported in the usual manner by traction-wheels B and forward guiding-wheels 0. Upon either side of the boiler and suitably secured to the same are brackets D, having downward extensions, as plainly shown in Fig. To the free ends of the brackets are secured journal-boxes adapted to receive the shaft E,which carries the chainrolls F.

G is the usual steering-rod, provided at its rear with the hand-wheel H and at its forward end with the worm-gear I.

J is a collar secured by angle-plate K to the longitudinal frameL, which collar forms a bearing for the forward end of the steeringrod. Rearwardly of the collar and integral with one of the brackets D is an apertured lug M, in which lug and collar the steeringrod is adapted to slide.

N is a suitable support which holds the rod in the desired position at the rear of the boiler. Upon the end of the shaft E is the usual gearwheel 0, adapted to mesh with the wormgear I.

P is a collar or stop on the steering-rod. Between the lug M and the worm and collar P are interposed, respectively, spiral springs Q and R.

S are the usual steering-chains.

It will be seen by this peculiar construction and novel combination of parts that when the engine meets obstructions in the road the steering-chains and gearing will be relieved from sudden thrusts and knocking strains. The chains being Wound on the rolls F, operated by the worm-gear, sudden strains on the chain will turn the rolls, and with the gearwheel meshing with the worm will drive said worm with rod backward or forward, as the case may be, against a spring.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a traction-engine, the combination with the boiler provided with one or more brackets or supports, of a steering-shaft journaled in said brackets, a steering-rod slidingly secured upon one side of the boiler and adapted to operate the shaft, and yielding means to receive the end thrusts of the rod, substantially as described.

2. In a traction-engine, the combination with the boiler provided with one or more brackets or supports, of a steering-shaft, and a gear-wheel arranged upon the same, a steering-rod slidingly mounted in one of the brackets, a wormgear on the steering-rod adapted to mesh with the gear-wheel, and yielding means for receiving the end thrusts of the rod, substantially as described.

3. In a traction-engine, the combination with the boiler provided with one or more brackets or supports, of a steering-shaft, and a gear-wheel arranged upon the same, an apertured lug or extension upon one of the brackets, a steering-rod slidingly mounted in the lug, a worm-gear and a stop or stops on the rod, and one or more springs arranged on said rod between the lug and stop or stops, substantially as an d for the purpose described 4. In a traction-engine, the combination with the steering-axle, of steering mechanism therefor, including a hand-shaft, said shaft beingslidingly mounted and subjected to end a fixed lug or part sustained by the engine thrusts by the vibrations of the steering-axle, structure, said hand-shaft being slidingly and one or more springs combined with said mounted, and springs between said fixed part hand-shaft and yieldingly resisting its end and the respective stops.

5 thrusts. In testimony whereof I affix my signature 15 5. In a traction-engine, the combination in presence of two Witnesses. with the supporting-axle, of steering mechan- EDWARD HUBER. ism therefor comprising chains connected to \Vitnesses: said axlea Winding-shaft, a hand-shaft JOHN J. CRAWLEY,

geared thereto, stops on the hand-shaft and FRANK G. NORTON. 

